Chapter 81: The Truth
“Mrs. Green, you’re awake?” A young nurse walked in with a tray. Seeing Evelyn’s open eyes, she slowed the IV drip. Evelyn instinctively looked around. The room was empty, save for the rhythmic beeping of the machines. The familiar figure wasn't there.
“Where is my husband?” Her throat felt raw.
The nurse’s expression stiffened, her eyes avoiding Evelyn's. “Mr. Green took an urgent call a while ago. It seemed like an emergency at the company, so he left early. But he instructed us to use the best medication, and all fees have been paid.”
Emergency at the company? It was one in the morning. Evelyn tugged at the corner of her mouth, a bleak smile forming. She knew what the "emergency" was. Sienna was likely feeling unwell, or simply wanted him to come over.
“Madam, since you’re awake, we’ll arrange your tests now.” The nurse picked up the forms from the bedside. “The doctor ordered a brain CT and an abdominal ultrasound, especially the ultrasound. While your faint might be due to emotional distress, considering your current condition, it’s best to be cautious.”
The nurse continued, “Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, severe emotional swings can cause a threatened miscarriage. The doctor said the fetal heartbeat sounded normal just now, but for the baby’s sake, you really must avoid any more stress.”
The nurse's words detonated in Evelyn’s mind. Early stages of pregnancy? Threatened miscarriage? They had found out? Panic engulfed Evelyn. Her heart hammered wildly. If the doctor had performed the tests, the results would be logged in the hospital system. The moment Damian saw the detailed bill or simply asked the doctor, she wouldn't be able to hide the pregnancy. Given Damian’s current infatuation with Sienna, if the baby was born, he would take it and give it to Sienna to raise—to call that woman its mother. Never!
“No!” Evelyn bolted upright. The sudden movement caused the needle in her hand to draw blood, leaving a red streak in the IV line.
The nurse gasped. “Madam, what’s wrong? Don’t move! The needle might slip out!”
“I don’t want the tests! I’m not pregnant!” Evelyn yanked the needle from her hand. Blood instantly welled up, dripping visibly onto the white sheet. Ignoring the pain, she frantically pressed the puncture site, her face pale as she stammered, “You’re wrong… I’m not pregnant. I’m just hypoglycemic! It's an old issue. I don't need those tests!”
“But the doctor’s preliminary diagnosis…”
“I said no!” Evelyn was frantic. “I am the patient! I have the right to refuse treatment! Now, cancel all those forms immediately! I won’t do the ultrasound or the CT. I’m checking out!”
The nurse, startled by her intensity, nodded slowly. “Alright… alright. If you insist, I’ll call the doctor to sign the discharge papers…”
Ten minutes later, Evelyn fled the room with her discharge papers. She refused the nurse’s help, clutching a bottle of prenatal vitamins—which she had vehemently insisted the doctor prescribe as "vitamins"—in her hand.
In the hospital corridor late at night, the wind blew through, chilling her thin shirt. She reached the main entrance and stared out at the dark night. Not far away, a luxury car stopped. A man, carrying a dog, rushed into the emergency pet clinic entrance, his anxiety visible even from a distance.
In that moment, Evelyn felt every breath was agony. Her husband, for his mistress's dog—a dog that was merely bitten—had abandoned his unconscious wife without a second thought. And here she was, carrying his child, forced to desperately conceal the baby’s existence like a criminal. A person was less important than a dog. That was her value to Damian.
Evelyn looked down at the white pill bottle in her hand. Tears welled in her eyes, but she forced them back. No crying. Tears are useless. She reached down and touched her flat stomach. A tiny life was growing there, her only family in the world.
“Baby, don’t be scared.” she whispered. “Mommy will protect you. I will never let that man know you exist, even if it costs me my life. I won't let him take you.” She tucked the bottle into her coat and limped away from the hospital alone.
Evelyn flagged down a taxi after a long wait. She dragged herself back to the mansion. Stepping inside, she saw Damian, who had driven home himself, coming down the stairs. He had changed clothes, his hair neatly combed, showing no sign of his earlier drunkenness.
“My mother wants us back at the estate for dinner this weekend.” His voice was flat. He seemed to assume her quick discharge meant she was fine, offering no question about her health. Standing on the stairs, he added, “We also need to discuss image management after the company goes public.”
His casual tone was suffocating. She had just come from the hospital, terrified of losing her child, and all he cared about was maintaining the image of the loving couple.
“I’m not feeling well…” Evelyn tried to refuse.
“You’ll go even if you’re unwell.” Damian put down his coffee cup with a clink. “As long as you can walk, you will be at that dinner table. Don’t forget, that is your current value.” With that, he turned and walked into the study, leaving her only his back.
The weekend arrived, and the Green family estate. When the car stopped, Damian instantly switched to a gentle expression. He walked around the car, opened Evelyn’s door, and offered his arm. If it weren't for the rigid force in his elbow, Evelyn might have believed her loving husband had returned.
“Smile naturally,” he whispered in her ear. “Don’t let anyone think I abuse you.”
Evelyn’s ankle hadn’t healed. She was unsteady but took his offered arm. Evelyn forced a smile and walked inside on his arm. The living room was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was tense.
Damian's mother, Octavia Green, was seated on the sofa. What stopped Evelyn was the other woman sitting beside Octavia. The woman wore a smart suit, her makeup flawless, and she was holding Octavia’s hand as they talked.
Camilla Cole, the heiress of the Cole Group. Evelyn had seen her in magazines; the Cole Group was currently collaborating with the Omni Group.
“Mother, we’re home,” Damian said, interrupting their conversation.